Tibet (China) – Tibetan activists have sought independence or greater autonomy from China since China’s annexation of the region in 1951. The Dalai Lama has called for greater autonomy under the "Middle Way" approach.

  • Xinjiang (China) – The Uyghur population in Xinjiang has long sought independence from China, with some advocating for an independent state of East Turkestan.

  • Kurdistan (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria) – Kurdish separatists across multiple countries seek the establishment of a Kurdish state, particularly in Turkey (where the PKK has been active), Iraq (where the Kurdish Regional Government operates), and parts of Syria and Iran.

  • Mindanao (Philippines) – Muslim separatists in Mindanao, particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have sought autonomy or independence from the Philippines. A peace agreement was signed in 2014, leading to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

  • West Papua (Indonesia) – Indigenous groups in West Papua have sought independence from Indonesia, with tensions dating back to Indonesia’s annexation in the 1960s.

  • Nagaland (India) – Some factions of Naga ethnic groups in northeastern India have sought independence from India, although peace talks have been ongoing.

Middle East

  • Palestine (Israel/Palestinian Territories) – Palestinians seek statehood and independence, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a core issue in the region.

  • Southern Yemen (Yemen) – The Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen advocates for the re-establishment of South Yemen, which merged with North Yemen in 1990.

  • Balochistan (Pakistan/Iran) – Baloch separatists in both Pakistan and Iran have sought independence, citing cultural and economic marginalization.

  • Iraqi Kurdistan (Iraq) – The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has significant autonomy, and there have been efforts for full independence, such as the 2017 independence referendum, though it faced opposition.

Africa

  • Western Sahara – The Polisario Front seeks independence for Western Sahara from Moroccan control. The region remains disputed between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

  • Ambazonia (Cameroon) – Separatists in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon seek independence and the creation of Ambazonia due to marginalization by the Francophone government.

  • Ogaden (Ethiopia) – Somali separatists in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia seek independence or integration with Somalia.

  • Cabinda (Angola) – The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) advocates for the independence of Cabinda from Angola.

  • Biafra (Nigeria) – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other groups advocate for the secession of southeastern Nigeria to recreate the Republic of Biafra, which briefly existed in the 1960s.

  • Zanzibar (Tanzania) – Some groups in Zanzibar have called for greater autonomy or independence from mainland Tanzania.

North America

  • Québec (Canada) – The Québec sovereignty movement has long sought independence for the province of Québec. Referenda in 1980 and 1995 resulted in "No" votes.

  • Hawaii (United States) – Some Hawaiian groups seek independence or greater autonomy, citing the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.

  • Alaska (United States) – Some small groups advocate for Alaska’s independence from the U.S., although the movement is not as prominent.

South America

  • Mapuche (Chile/Argentina) – The Mapuche indigenous people in Chile and Argentina have sought greater autonomy and recognition, with some advocating for an independent state.

  • Southern Brazil – Some groups in southern Brazil have sought secession from the federal government, advocating for independence of the southern states.

Oceania

  • New Caledonia (France) – A series of referenda have been held on independence from France, with the most recent in 2021 rejecting independence.

  • Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) – Bougainville voted overwhelmingly for independence in a 2019 referendum, and negotiations with Papua New Guinea continue to finalize the process.